A lack of experienced renewable energy engineers could put contracts for nine new wind turbine projects in jeopardy as there are not enough suitably qualified people to install the turbines at their designated locations in the Firth of Forth and Moray Firth in the Scottish Highlands.
The Green Village News for the ‘Energy and Resources’ Category
Lack of Engineers Put Offshore Wind Farm Development at Risk
Saturday, January 9th, 2010Proposed Tidal Barrier Could Provide Renewable Green Energy
Monday, December 28th, 2009
A new £250 million tidal barrier is being proposed to be constructed across the River Clyde which will not only create a flood barrier but would also be able to generate enough renewable energy to power all the homes in Glasgow.
Ecotricity Hopes To Supply Green Gas To Half Of The UK Domestic Market
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Ecotricity, the UK’s first green electricity supplier, has been researching the feasibility of supplying green biogas to the UK domestic market. From their results, plus their market research, they have announced that they hope to become Britain’s first green gas supplier too.
Green gas or ‘biogas’ is captured from rotting food waste which would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. It is estimated that about 18 million tonnes of food waste is generated each year in the UK; a figure which Ecotricity would expect to supply up to 700,000 homes.
Environment Agency To Integrate Carbon Emission Reducing VPO Technology
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Further to a trial in 8 of their buildings, the Environment Agency will install Voltage Power Optimisation technology in a further 33 of its buildings in a bid to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions. The trial resulted in a saving of between 10%-18% of the buildings’ electricity consumption, which is the equivalent of 281 tonnes of carbon.
Voltage Power Optimisation (VPO) works by reducing the voltage of the incoming electricity to reduce energy wastage. Most appliances work fine at 200 volts, however the voltage of electricity entering our homes is usually between 207 and 253 volts. This additional electricity is often wasted as heat, therefore by reducing the voltage, considerable savings in electricity consumption and, as a result, carbon emissions and energy bills can be achieved.
Green Groups Set To Take RBS And The Treasury To Court Over Unethical Investments
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
In potentially the first case of it’s kind, RBS and the Treasury could face court action for investing in carbon-intensive industries including coal, oil and gas as well as environmentally destuctive mining.
The environmental groups involved in bringing about the hearing today include People and Planet, the World Development Movement and Platform. The conclusion of the hearing could lead to green groups having a case with which to sue the bank and the Treasury.
Solar Tiles Could Eclipse Photovoltaic Solar Panels
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
The familiar conventional solar panel that springs to mind when someone mentions solar power could be replaced by the new trend of integrating solar technology into buildings. The increasing popularity for building integrated photovoltaics is aided by the advances in microgeneration technology including solar roof tiles, shingles and even special sheeting that can be incorporated into other building materials which is coated in layers of atomised photovoltaic material.
Photovoltaics have been developed and improved over many years and are available for many uses including power supplies to charge leisure batteries for caravans, boats and motorhomes as well as for conventional use on domestic and industrial roofs. As the search for more sustainable sources of energy generation are sought to help ease the problems of peak oil and decreasing sources of energy generation such as fossil fuels, microgeneration from renewable energy sources such as wind power, geothermal energy and solar energy could be a crucial step to prevent blackouts and energy shortages for future generations.
DECC Appoint David MacKay As Chief Scientific Adviser
Friday, September 4th, 2009
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has appointed David MacKay as chief scientific advisor. The Cambridge university physics professor was chosen by Ed Miliband to advise on matters relating to the Government’s low carbon transition plan.
David MacKay is the author of the straight-talking and critically acclaimed “Sustainable Energy – without the hot air“. The first run of copies published sold out in a matter of weeks and when the book hit the bestsellers list on Amazon, the publisher was struggling to keep up with demand.
Centre For Alternative Technology Introduce UK’s First Micro Grid
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), based in Machynlleth, in Wales has pioneered a new way of delivering energy to local communities via the UK’s first micro-grid.
CAT has been working towards solutions for sustainability for the past 35 years and this micro-grid technology is the latest of their developments. The mirco-grid draws its power from renewable energy sources as they are available (i.e when the wind is blowing or the sun shining) or from the national grid when they are not.
Jamie Oliver’s New Show – First Carbon Neutral TV Series
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
Jamie Oliver’s new TV Series ‘Jamie’s American Roadtrip‘ will be the first carbon neutral TV show to be shown anywhere in the world.
The show which sees Jamie Oliver travel across the United States was aired last night on Channel 4. The famous chef has many environmental credentials like improving children’s diets at school as well as supporting chicken out and other animal welfare schemes. Now though, he is offsetting all the emissions of his new programme.
WRAP Research Indicates Waste Wood Demand Will Outstrip Supply
Monday, August 31st, 2009
A new study conducted by WRAP, Waste & Resources Action Programme, published on 28th August 2009, has identified that demand for waste wood will outstrip supply in the next few years. The report, ‘Wood Waste Market in the UK’, provides both a detailed analysis of how the situation with waste wood product availability is likely to develop over the coming years, and also looks at the origins of waste wood products.
WRAP’s research anticipates a 14% decrease in the amount of waste wood compared to before the recession, a figure which could take up to 5 years to return to pre-recession levels. Director of Market Development, Marcus Gover, advises that WRAP are keen to offer support to recycling and reprocessing businesses across the UK in light of the problems that this shortfall could cause.
(more…)
